Ask Copilot is Microsoft’s latest move to bring Copilot features closer to everyday Windows work, starting with the search box you probably use dozens of times a day. In Windows 11 preview builds, Microsoft is testing an “Ask Copilot” box that sits on the taskbar and turns quick searches into quick actions.
If that sounds like “more AI in your face”, it helps to know one thing upfront: it is optional and designed to sit alongside the tools you already use, not replace them.
What Is Ask Copilot In Windows 11?
Ask Copilot is a taskbar search experience that lets you type a request in plain English and hand it to Copilot, rather than relying on classic keyword search alone. Microsoft has been previewing it as part of broader Windows changes where Search and Ask Copilot can live together on the taskbar.
It is still in testing, so rollout details can change and some preview features can vary by region.
How Is It Different From Classic Taskbar Search?
Takeaway: Ask Copilot aims to reduce “hunt time” by understanding intent, not just matching keywords.
Which Copilot Features Sit Next To The Search Box?
In the preview experience, Ask Copilot is not just a text box. Microsoft is also surfacing shortcuts that make Copilot faster to use for real work, including voice input and vision-style “ask about what’s on my screen” workflows.
Copilot Vision And On-Screen Questions
When It Helps In The Real World
If you support busy teams, this is where the value shows up. Instead of describing a problem, people can point Copilot at what they can see.
● “What does this error message mean and what should I do next?”
● “Summarise this dashboard and tell me what changed since yesterday”
● “Turn this screenshot into a short set of steps for the team”
● “Explain what I’m looking at in this settings screen”
Voice Commands For Quick Requests
Voice can be handy when typing is the slower option, like when your hands are busy, you’re moving between rooms or you just want a quick request without breaking your flow. “Open the latest policy document”
● “Draft a reply to this email, keep it polite and short”
● “Pull out action points from this meeting chat”
● “Create a checklist I can paste into Teams”
Why Ask Copilot Matters For Business Workflows
Ask Copilot looks small, but it targets a real cost in most organisations: constant context switching. Every time someone stops to search, click through menus or look up a quick “how do I…”, their focus resets.
There is also growing evidence that Copilot can save meaningful time when it is used well. Microsoft reported that study participants said they saved over 25 minutes per day on average, and a UK government trial reported an average saving of 26 minutes per day.
Here’s the practical way to think about it in 2026: if 10 people each save 10 minutes a day, that is roughly 16 hours a month back for the business (10 people × 10 minutes × 20 working days). That is a full two working days, without hiring anyone.
A Simple Time-Saving Example
- A user needs “the invoice template we used last month”
- They type the request into Ask Copilot instead of searching folders
- Copilot surfaces the right file and suggests the next step (for example, duplicating it and renaming it)
- The user stays in flow and moves on
That “small win” is the point. It is how you get adoption without forcing people to learn a new system.
The Hidden Constraint: Copilot Only Sees What People Can See
This is the part many businesses miss. Copilot in Microsoft 365 is governed by your existing permissions. If someone cannot access a file today, Copilot cannot access it for them either.
That is good for security, but it also means messy SharePoint structures, over-permissioned folders or unclear naming conventions will limit results. Ask Copilot will make it easier to ask, but you still need your house in order.
Two Checks Before You Switch It On
Permissions And SharePoint Hygiene
● Are your SharePoint sites structured so teams can actually find the “one place” for key documents?
● Are permissions aligned to roles, not “who shouted loudest last year”?
● Are stale folders archived so Copilot is not surfacing outdated versions?
Guardrails For Sensitive Data
Copilot inherits Microsoft 365 controls like Conditional Access, Data Loss Prevention, sensitivity labels, retention policies and audit logging.
That is powerful, but only if those controls are configured and used consistently.
How PS Tech’s Copilot Bundle Helps You Get More From Copilot
PS Tech’s approach is built around making Copilot practical, secure and aligned to how your team already works. That means the focus is not “switch it on and hope”. It is readiness, configuration, user guidance and governance.
Here’s what our Copilot bundle is designed to cover:
● AI readiness and data review so Copilot can safely surface the right information
● Licensing and configuration aligned to your environment and compliance needs
● Practical user guidance with real workflows, not abstract prompts
● Governance and ongoing support as Copilot evolves inside Microsoft 365
If Ask Copilot drives more day-to-day usage, that foundation is what keeps results useful and predictable.
Next Step: Make Copilot Useful On Day One
Take a look at our special Copilot bundle here, or call the team on 01825 729635.
If you enjoyed this blog, you might also like: 5 Ways Businesses Can Get IT Asset Disposal Right.
FAQs
What Is Ask Copilot In Windows 11?
Ask Copilot is an AI-powered taskbar search experience Microsoft has been testing in Windows 11 preview builds. Instead of only matching keywords, it aims to understand your intent so you can find files, change settings or get quick guidance with fewer clicks and less menu-hunting.
How Do I Turn Ask Copilot On Or Off?
Ask Copilot is designed to be opt-in, so you should only see it if you enable it in Windows settings. Microsoft’s rollout and exact toggles can vary by build, but the intent is clear: you can keep classic Search if you prefer and switch Ask Copilot off later.
Is Ask Copilot The Same As Windows Search?
No. Windows Search primarily returns results such as apps, files and settings. Ask Copilot builds on that by letting you phrase requests naturally, then guiding you to the right place or helping you complete the task. Think “help me do this” rather than “show me matching results”.
Does Ask Copilot Give Copilot Extra Access To My Files?
Ask Copilot does not magically grant new permissions. In Microsoft’s wider Copilot approach, access is tied to what the signed-in user can already see and do. This is why good file structure and tidy permissions matter: AI can only surface what you have rights to access.
What Copilot Features Will Be Most Useful Day To Day?
The most useful Copilot features are the ones that reduce context switching: finding the right document fast, drafting short replies, summarising long threads, turning notes into action lists and guiding users through settings screens. For many teams, these “small wins” are what drive genuine adoption.
Will Ask Copilot Work Without Microsoft 365 Copilot?
It depends on the Windows build and how Microsoft packages the experience, but the broad rule is: Windows-level Copilot experiences can exist separately from Microsoft 365 Copilot licensing. Microsoft 365 Copilot is what unlocks the deeper work inside apps like Outlook, Word and Teams.
How Can Ask Copilot Help Productivity For Small Businesses?
Ask Copilot can save time by reducing the “search, click, repeat” cycle for common tasks. This matters because AI search features often reward concise, direct workflows: fewer steps to locate files, change settings or get a quick answer. Even small time savings per person can add up quickly.
What Should We Fix Before Rolling Ask Copilot Out To Staff?
Start with housekeeping: clear folder and SharePoint structures, sensible permissions, consistent naming and basic security controls. AI can amplify messy information management. If you want Ask Copilot and Copilot features to return the right thing, your data needs to be findable and current.
How Do We Optimise Content For Google AI Overviews And Gemini Using FAQs?
Write FAQs that match real queries, use clear headings, then answer in 1 to 3 short sentences with the direct answer first. Many SEO guides recommend keeping answers around 40 to 60 words so they fit extraction formats such as snippets and AI Overviews. Add FAQ Page schema where appropriate.
Can PS Tech Help Us Get More Value From Copilot?
Yes. PS Tech can help you get practical value from Copilot by focusing on readiness, permissions, security guardrails and user workflows so the Copilot features people rely on are consistent and safe. If you want structured support, our Copilot bundle is designed for exactly that kind of rollout.
Updated January 2026